Jellybean Dream Anthology

To all my comicheads... allow me to introduce you all to Jellybean (Jelly) Turner. She is the protagonist of my series Jellybean Dream. Starting June 14th until June 20th 2017, The Jellybean Dream Anthology (PDF version) will be available for only $2!!! Earlier this month was the 2nd anniversary of the anthology's release. This is the first appearance of Jellybean Turner and other key characters from the series. The anthology is a collection of art from several independent artists doing their take on Jellybean and other characters. Included is a six-page story from the early life of Jelly as well as the layouts from Jellybean Dream Issue 1.

Jellybean Dream tells the story of Jellybean, a young woman from the ATL (Atlanta, GA) area who can travel to other worlds/dimensions through her dreams. While asleep here on Earth, she's awake elsewhere. This ability is but one of her powers which makes her question her origins. The answers are uncovered throughout the series.

The idea for doing an anthology for Jellybean Dream originated back in 2005 when I wrote and drew the six-page story. The original intent of the anthology was to chronicle the first 18 years of Jelly’s life and the people around her. It was at that age when her life changed from abnormal to surreal. In 2006 I took Jelly’s style from punk to natural. Changing of styles was integral in her character to begin with. She had long hair all of her life until age 17 and started wearing punk hairdos. In 2006 she began rocking the ‘fro and hasn’t looked back. Jelly didn’t create the afro but has definitely stylized it for the 21st century.

In 2013 my friend and co-founder of Urbangod Ink Corley Manning suggested that I should finish the anthology. The past year had been one for the ages, due to the loss of my mom. I knew that if I didn’t do it then, when would I do it? So at that point, I set out to produce more artwork of Jelly and her supporting cast because I decided to make this anthology for the most part an artbook. I reached out to the independent artists whose friendship I made over the years via Facebook, even some that I had just befriended and VOILA, magic!

I’m proud of the anthology and this character. When I created Jelly, honestly it was because at that time I didn’t believe a woman like her existed, because of my experience at that time. I knew few women, especially women of color (at the time of her creation) who were into comics, pop culture, gaming and the such. Not to say that a woman has to have those interests, but if you become friends with someone you would like to share some of those interests with, whether they are a man or woman. The women who participated in the making of the anthology I can’t thank enough and look forward to sharing their talents with you all, as well as the dope guys who put in phenomenal work as well. My plans are to release another anthology, but fewer pin-ups and more story. I have a ten-page story written for it already, as well as a few more pieces from myself and others to include.

If you are interested in more of Jellybean Dream adventures after the anthology be sure to follow my Patreon for exclusive updates on the crossover book entitled Dreamcatcher, starring characters from Jellybean Dream and the webseries Body Jumpers, created by Alex Fernandez. The post-production for that book is underway now!!! Like the JBD pages on Facebook and Instagram. Click HERE to purchase the PDF for only $2 (will be of no good after 6/20/2017). Click HERE to purchase the physical autographed anthology for $25.